The New Orleans Police Department is investigating a shooting that resulted in damage to the exterior of the newly-renovated Audubon Aquarium and Insectarium.
Initially, the NOPD reported that the shooting in question happened just after midnight Saturday on Dwyer Road near Henri Drive in New Orleans East. According to the NOPD’s Major Offense Log, the victim told police he was taking out the trash when he heard multiple shots fired. That’s when, the log says, the victim realized he was shot before passing out. The victim went to the hospital via a private vehicle.
On Saturday afternoon, the NOPD corrected the record to say the shooting happened near the foot of Canal Street late Friday night. A spokesperson says no one in the area called to report a shooting there last night and only learned if the case after finding out about the damage at the aquarium.
The spokesman says investigators later learned that the victim who claimed he was shot in Dwyer Road lied about where he was wounded. The victim allegedly then told police he was shot on Canal Street.
Audubon spokesperson Melissa Lee confirmed to WWL that the facility opened an hour later than scheduled Saturday morning because the NOPD was near the area investigating. She said the incident took place overnight when the building was closed. Lee added that the shooting did not happen inside the aquarium and that it had nothing to do with the building except for the fact that bullets struck the door.
Lee says no fish or insects were harmed and that the aquarium is open for business as usual.
The shooting remains under investigation. Call the NOPD at 504-658-5300 or Crimestoppers at 504-822-1111.